I arrived around 7:30 PM, catching the tail end of In Pieces' soundcheck. Once the doors officially opened at 8:00 PM, the venue filled up fast. By 8:11 PM, almost all the seats were claimed by chatting guests, a mix of friends, family, and casual party-goers. The room was packed, but not cramped, fostering the kind of communal "perpetual party" atmosphere that The Roxy Cabaret is famous for hosting.
Hitting the stage promptly at 8:15 PM, Vancouver rock band In Pieces wasted no time slamming the room with explosive energy. While the crowd initially stayed seated with only minor swaying on the dance floor, the band aggressively projected their energy outward, successfully capturing the attention of the uninitiated.
Operating under a colloquial moniker that gives them an "if you know, you know" local vibe, In Pieces delivered a performance that you could feel in your bones. They offered a visually dynamic stage show that balanced a chaotic punk rock ethos with sharp technical proficiency. Armed with Paul Reed Smith (PRS) guitars, renowned for their tonal versatility, they easily handled extreme high-gain distortion without sacrificing chordal clarity.
In the latter half of the set, they pulled out all the stops, utilizing fog machines and an impressive light show. Despite their intense sound, the band was humble and friendly, taking time to chat with fans and hype up the next act. Thanks to a high-frequency gigging schedule leading up to the night, they were highly rehearsed and operating at peak performance. Although their set felt short, I wouldn't have complained if they played longer, The Roxy's 365-day music schedule means they run a tight ship. (Fans can catch them back at it on March 13th).
Next up was The Lily Dippers, a Vancouver-based quartet formed in 2019 that provided a brilliant sonic juxtaposition. With a wide-ranging rock sound, they are the kind of band that makes you immediately want to dance.
Their branding was as loud as their music. The band sported printed button-up shirts ranging from Hawaiian themes to fire and poker prints, a vibe that clearly infected the audience. Looking around the red-lit room, plenty of fans had shown up decked out in bright, fun Hawaiian shirts, looking ready for a beach party.
Musically, they took full advantage of their wide genre net. A standout element was Max on the piano. Having a dedicated, full-time piano player is somewhat uncommon in this scene, and her playing immediately broadened their harmonic palette, adding a lush, organic texture to the set.
The band opened with a fully instrumental jam, signaling to the room that it was time to move and the audience agreed, quickly filling up the dance floor. Proving their versatility, they transitioned effortlessly between upbeat jams, slower tracks, and even a spooky Halloween song. A major highlight was a killer cover of Gorillaz' "Clint Eastwood," with Max Phoenix tackling the rap verses with amazing grace.
It is no surprise that The Lily Dippers have already passed institutional peer review; in 2023, they secured a highly competitive Artist Development grant from FACTOR Canada. They clearly possess a relentless work ethic, but that doesn't stop them from enjoying the moment. They were visibly having a blast on stage, feeding off the energy of the dancing, cheering crowd.